The adidas SPZL Spring/Summer 2025 Collection Releases March 2025
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Famed collector, historian, and now head of adidas SPZL Gary Aspden always ensures that fans of the SPZL line are well-informed on the inspirations behind each release. Whenever a new drop is approaching, Aspden will take to his Instagram to go into great detail about each sneaker and the apparel collection for the subsequent drop. Ahead of the SPZL Spring/Summer 2025 Collection’s release later this March, Aspeden has shared images of two sneakers launching, the Handball Cup and TRX Mesh.
The TRX Mesh SPZL reinterprets one of adidas’ most iconic running silhouettes while staying true to its archival essence. Drawing inspiration from the blue and yellow TRX famously worn by Roger Daltrey in McVicar, this Spezial iteration adds performance-driven tweaks to the archival sneaker. The upper is constructed from racing mesh, referencing a Marathon TR pair from 2000 made in Scheinfeld, with additional overlays and design elements inspired by historic athlete service models.
Unlike previous TRX reissues that utilized a molded midsole, this version introduces an EVA wedge with a scooped cutaway. The dimpled tongue, cotton laces, and precisely matched yellow accents further refine the shoe, ensuring it remains faithful to its heritage while offering a fresh take on a classic.

The Handball Cup SPZL builds on the legacy of the Handball Spezial, a shoe that transitioned from performance wear to a staple in British subcultures. This new iteration modernizes the 70s Handball Spezial by incorporating 80s-era design cues, particularly those in the Handball Top.
The revised toebox proportions and adjusted toe overlay depth create a sleeker profile, while the defining features—a swooping contrast leather overlay with red piping, a white tongue with red branding, and a honey-colored gum sole—pay homage to its predecessors. Retaining the classic blue and white Handball Spezial colorway with a red pop, the Handball Cup SPZL successfully bridges decades of adidas design, offering an archival-inspired take on one of the brand’s most celebrated models.
After these two models were revealed, Aspden took to Instagram to reveal a third pair, the Pampanga SPZL, drawing inspiration from a vintage Made in the Philippines adidas Squire. While the original suffered from awkward proportions, the Spezial team saw an opportunity to revise the silhouette into something sleeker while staying true to adidas' signature design DNA. A major breakthrough came with the development of a brand-new outsole mold, made possible through 3D printing and EVA midsole construction, ensuring both affordability and commercial viability.

The final design strikes a balance between a 70s-era runner and a classic training shoe, paying homage to the era before high-tech running innovations took over. Finished in a black and white colorway with bluebird branding accents, the Pampanga SPZL is effortlessly wearable and comes with a secondary black lace option for added versatility.
Finally, in the days following the reveal of the Pampanga SPZL, Aspden posted the Failsworth SPZL, which pulls elements from the adidas Barbados and Universal SL to create a sleek, heritage-driven silhouette. Built on the Tobacco tooling, the shoe features a light brown suede upper with an asymmetric toe overlay, taking cues from vintage adidas trainers. Unlike the sporty color palettes seen on other models in this season's lineup, the Failsworth SPZL embraces a neutral aesthetic, utilizing tan and gum shades.
Subtle yet intentional details enhance its premium feel, including tonal eyelets, a brown-and-gold sock liner, and Made in France-inspired "chocolate box" branding on the tongue. Designed to honor adidas' classic three-stripe DNA, this new silhouette provides a sophisticated take on terrace style, bridging the gap between heritage and contemporary wear.
The adidas SPZL Spring/Summer 2025 Collection will start with the release of the two aforementioned sneakers on March 27, 2025, through adidas Confirmed and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price has yet to be announced. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via adidas
adidas Handball Cup SZPL Semi Lucid Blue Cream White
adidas TRX Mesh SPZL Hi-Res Blue Shock Yellow
adidas Pampanga SPZL

adidas Failsworth SPZL

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Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com